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Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Men of the Nigeria Police Force, Lagos Statecommand, have arrested the driver of aprivate school bus, identified as GodwinEtute, for allegedly killing a 16-year old girlfor refusing to allow him have sex with herinside a school bus.

The wicked 26-year old driver is said tohave murdered the teenager called ToluGbadamosi, dumped her by the road sideand drove off. The suspect was arrested bythe police at the Ikotun area on a tip-off bysomeone who saw him when he dumpedthe victim somewhere in Alimosho area ofthe state and drove off .

The late Tolu was an auxiliary teacher whoalso assisted the driver to take schoolchildren with the bus to and from school.

Sources say her problem started whenEtute attempted to woo her to have sexwith him several times but she refused andtold him that she had not tried sex withany man.

She was said to have reported herencounter with Godwin to her mom andfew of her friends before now . Theincident has thrown the management ofthe school and the family of the deceasedinto mourning.

A police source who confirmed theincident, disclosed that the matter is aboutbeing moved to State Criminal InvestigationDepartment, SCID, Panti Yaba.

An Abuja High Court sitting at Apo onTuesday ruled that former Speaker DimejiBankole and his deputy Usman BayeroNafada have no case to answer in theN40bn loan scandal.

The court ruled on a “no-case-submission”before it by the erstwhile Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Dimeji Bankole and his deputy, Usman Bayero Nafada pertaining to the 17-count criminal charge preferred against them by the EFCC, over an alleged role they played in a N40 billion loan saga that trailed the sixth session of the lower chamber.

Justice Belgore rubbishes Keyamo’s case ashe ruled that the accused did not benefitfrom the loan. There was no theft as it wasa loan that have been liquidated and it wasprovided for in the budget.

Belgore further ruled that it was not asalary increase or allowance increase butincrease in running cost. The judge in theruling that lasted over three hours saidthere was no linkage of the accussed withconspiracy or thef which have not beenestablished.

The account for the loan was not operatedby the accussed and the disbursement wasnot done by the accussed.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Some cities in Russia and South Africa haveintroduced the use of anonymous babydrop boxes for mothers to drop unwantedchildren instead of dumping them inunhygienic places and conditions.

According to reports, the move was aimedat providing sanitary conditions forunwanted children who are usually foundin garbage bags in public places where theycould be attacked by predators.

CEO, Out of Africa Children’s Fund’s Boxes,Kim Highfield said with the introduction ofthe anonymous facility, she hopedstruggling mothers would be willing to givetheir children up for adoption safely.

‘Sometimes they leave their babies indangerous areas where they have beenattacked by dogs or come to other harm,our scheme is about providing analternative, so that new mothers at leasthave somewhere safe to leave their child,’she said.

Soap actor Nick Santino who has appeared on “All My Children” and “The Guiding Light” took an overdose of pills hours after he was forced to put his beloved dog to sleep under pressure from his Manhattan condo. He was just 47.

As the story goes, his building had a ban on pit-bulls, but Nick’s dog – Rocco had been grandfathered in … which didn’t sit well with some of the neighbors. Some claimed the dog was loud and aggressive, but others said building management was just harassing Nick and trying to force him to get rid of the dog.

Feeling it was his only option, Nick had Rocco put to sleep and later that day left a suicide note that read:

“Today I betrayed my best friend and put down my best friend … Rocco trusted me and I failed him. He didn’t deserve this.”

Santino phoned a former girlfriend at 2 a.m. Wednesday. Police found Santino’s body in his bedroom later that afternoon. The actor had overdosed on pills. The actor’s pet Rocco has been cremated; friends tell The New York Post Santino’s remains will also be cremated.

The actress and her family have lived inthe northern state of Kano all their lives,they even have businesses there butbecause of insecurity in the north, andespecially after the multiple bomb blastslast week, which came close to theirhome, the actress has decided torelocate her family.

In April 2011, the building habouringHalima and her mother's bakery andrestaurant, Godiya Confectioneries, wasburned down during the riot thatengulfed some parts of the north afterthe April 2011 elections.

Since she crept into our consciousness few years ago after winning the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant, the pretty damsel has remained a force to reckon with.Hardly will a month pass without this sultry beauty making news.

Blessed with a great dress sense and supple looks that see photographers clicking away anytime she steps into any event,she’s been hailed severally for maintaining a scandal- free lifestyle during her reign and thereafter.

Her poise is unmistakable and there’s no denying the fact that though she’s still in her 20s,she’s definitely come into her own.And she may just have found love,who knows?

This ex-beauty queen is now being linked to a highly-respected South-West Governor.We learnt that the duo met some years ago at an Awards ceremony.

The affair had been hush-hush until recently.We further gathered that the Governor is simply enamoured with her and the affair is well-known to a handful of his aides.

Presently,we hear she is a regular visit to the Governor’s office and is oftentimes seen with Police escorts.

Since the development, tongues have been wagging non-stop in the Government House.

Ahead of the 41st Convocation of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), police authorities Friday arrested no less than twenty-five persons suspected to be members of the extremist Boko Haram Islamic sect. Also arrested were the driver and conductor of the commuter bus said to be conveying the suspects.

It was gathered that the suspects who were travelling from the north in a commercial Nissan bus marked XA 581 MRD with inscription Zamfara State Government were arrested at the Opuje junction in Nsukka, Enugu State at about 9.00am.

On interrogation, however, the men who had several bags and other substances claimed they were on hunting expedition to Uzo-uwani in Nsukka, claiming to be hunters from Zamfara State.

When their bags were searched, objects including 19 dane guns, chemicals, electric cables, twelve machetes, five axes, seven knives as well as unexpended ammunitions were discovered to have been concealed in the fertilizer bags, which was also loaded with food stuff.

The development has sent fears down the spines of residents of the university town. The university is currently celebrating its 41st convocation. The weeklong event has been on since Monday and is expected to climax today with the conferment of honorary doctorate awards to some Nigerians.

Meanwhile, the State commissioner of Police, Dana Zumi Job also Friday ordered the immediate transfer of the arrested suspected Boko Haram members to Enugu for further investigations.

Confirming the arrest Friday, State Police Public Relations officer, Ebere Amaraizu, said the command would not take anything to chance, stressing that a thorough investigation would be conducted to ascertain the true mission of the group in Enugu.

He said: “They were intercepted along Okuje – Nsukka Road in a commuter bus and on close and careful interrogations, they revealed that they were coming from the northern part of the country and were heading to Uzo-uwani in Enugu State and alleged that they were hunters.”

A 22 year-old driver, Kofi Mensah, who lives at Abaka in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese (AAK) District of the Central Region, has impregnated his 19-year-old biological sister, Ama Essumanba at Abaka.

Essumanba, who is five months pregnant, has not had any antenatal treatment since she was impregnated. Their mother, Adjoa Francisca, was staying in the same house with them but had to relocate when she was beaten up by the sibling lovers for advising them to put an end to the shameful act. Briefing us on Wednesday, Madam Francisca said Essumanba, who lived in Liberia, returned home when she got pregnant a few years ago to have a son.

Francisca was shocked when two of her children told her that their brother Mensah had been having sexual intercourse with the sister, a situation which compelled her to monitor them. “Although, I advised my children who informed me about it not to tell anybody since it was a taboo, I monitored their movement and I caught them red-handed having sex,” she said.

Mensah, who was ready to do everything possible to protect his relationship with his sister, threatened to kill his mother, if she did not leave their house. In an interview with Essumanba at the house where she lives with her two-year- old son, she cried for more than five minutes before she could be consoled to speak to us.

She confirmed she was impregnated by her brother. Kofi Mensah, on the other hand, nearly insulted the us when he was asked whether Francisca was his mother. He said: “go and report me to the police so they can come and arrest me, Francisca is my grandmother.

Beyonceand Jay Z announced that Oprah will be theGodmother to Blue Ivy Carter. According toIdolator, the couple picked Oprah over otherhopefuls such as Auntie Solange and KellyRowland. Blue Ivy is already the youngestperson to make the Billboard charts, andnow she has media mogul aka “Ruler of theKnown Universe”, Oprah, as her Godmother.At this point Blue Ivy is basically Americanroyalty.

Tongues are waggling about the allegedsteaming romance between TatianaDurao of BBA all stars and Paul Okoyeof P-Square. Tatiana the slim fair-skinned sultry Angola babe, popular forbeen the Drama Queen of BBA all starshaving participated in an earlier season.

This discreet affair has been going onfor sometime now. Tatiana's musiccareer brought her in contact with Pauland she has been getting the neededsupport as regards her music career inthe Nigerian music industry.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

According to the leadership of the NLCand TUC, they received a threat letter intheir mail yesterday supposedly sent byBoko Haram. In the letter (above), theIslamic sect expressed their anger overthe way the Labour leaders handled thefuel hike crisis. They asked the NLCpresident to resign and also threatenedto bomb their HQ soon.

The letter reads 'I', 'AM' instead of'WE'...probably a prank but the NLCpeople are taking it very seriously.

Top actress Tonto Dikeh sounds verybrilliant and intelligent in movies that havebeen edited before hitting the shelves.Little do people know that this sexyactress panders to temporary amnesia, asshe pretends not remember some thingsat will.

We will inform you authoritatively thatwhenever it pleases her,Ms. Dikeh does noteven know her telephone numbers andwill claim she does not remember thefigures that make up her telephonenumber.

The intelligent actress has nevermentioned her telephone number toanybody when asked,rather she willquickly tell the individual to call his or hernumber while she will readily dial it for theperson to get her number.

Aside this,it has been revealed byeyewitnesses that this actress takes a linefor over one hour while on moviesets,simply because she forgets thingseasily.

"I didn't get this from my father. My fatheris not a womaniser. That I know. I havenever caught my father with anotherwoman. He is very faithful to my mother. Iam also not a womanizer. Yes it happensthat I have more women in my life. It is theprice I have to pay for being a star. I didn'tplan to have more than one woman in mylife. I didn't plan my life to be the way it isnow but no regrets. I love my kids. Rightnow, I have three women in my life whohave five kids for me (and expecting a 6thone) and I sincerely don't know how I'mable to cope with three women. Fela hadover two dozen wives but I'm not Fela. I cannever be another Fela. I have three womenbut I'm saying a big NO to Fela's kind ofpolygamy. I don't even know what thesewomen see me (Oh yeah, Tuface? lol). I usedto look into the mirror sometimes andwonder it is that they see in me." - 2facetells E Express when they asked him aboutwomanizing and regrets

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

“So far we have discovered over 300home-made bombs in the operation wehave launched in bomb recovery indifferent parts of the city.” These were thewords of a senior police official who spoketo the press on condiation of anonymitybased on the sensitive nature of theirongoing operation.

Plots by members of the dreaded BokoHaram sect to launch fresh attacks have been foiled by men of the Nigerian police in the city of Kano on Monday. Authoritative sources say they discovered eight bomb-laden cars and over 100 unexploded devices in several locations.

The senior police officer said: “Lots of theunexploded bombs were recovered aroundthe police headquarters ” which was one ofthe targets struck in the deadly Fridayattacks. “ We are still facing serious securitythreats,” he added.

Also, a man suspected to be Boko Harammember forcefully gained entrance intothe headquarters of the ministry ofdefence in Abuja on Monday. His missionhowever failed as he was lateroverpowered and arrested by militarypersonnel.

Monday, January 23, 2012

The Minister of Education, Prof. RuqayyatuRufai last week told reporters that ASUUwould call off its strike action on Mondayafter holding a meeting with universityvice-chancellors.

But the ASUU President has refuted thisclaim saying that ASUU is not a member ofthe Association of Vice Chancellors, and assuch, could not call off the strike action untilgovernment implemented its agreementswith ASUU.

“It’s all government’s propaganda! ASUUwon’t call off its strike so long asgovernment shies away from the issue ofeffective funding of the universities”, theASUU president said.

He however expressed ASUU’s appreciationto the senate in passing the bill for theextension of the retirement age ofProfessors from 65 to 70 years.

“The year of retirement is just one of ourdemands, the funding is the cardinal,” headded.

“Mr. President has scheduled a meeting withASUU on Monday, if government accepts toimplement our demand, that is when we willthink of calling off the strike.

“Even at that, the National ExecutiveCommittee of ASUU will have to meet andhave series of meetings to agree on whento call off the strike.

“However, with the intervention of Mr.President, I believe the solution will comefaster than expected” the ASUU presidentstated.

Nollywood actress, Stephanie Okereke haspicked an undisclosed date in the month ofFebruary to exchange marital vows withher boyfriend of many years, Linus Idahosa, in a private, but classy wedding billed tohold in Paris, France.

According to Punch’s Spice Society, thecouple chose to hold the ceremony faraway from the prying eyes of the public.

Remember not too long ago we told you about 27 year old Hazel Jones who was born with a condition called Uterus didelphys which means she has 2 sets of female reproductive organs, two vaginal canals and two openings.

Vivid Entertainment honcho Steve Hirsch, who heard Hazel's story and immediately reached out to the woman with a BIG offer to film her double vagina in action.

In the letter, Hirsch writes,

"You are obviously an extraordinary woman and I would like to make you an offer to star in an upcoming Vivid production. We would pay you up to $1 million for your services."

For the mathematically challenged, that's $500k per vagina. To sweeten the deal, Hirsch says Jones can pick any XXX partner she wants in her movie - adding, "We would fly you out to L.A. as soon as you are available and provide you with first class accommodations."

Rejecting the offer, a horrified Hazel was quoted as saying

’I have never received any offers of this kind of work nor would I never consider doing it in a million years. I just want to be left alone”

Etta James, the singer who made “At Last” aclassic and became one of the last survivorsfrom early rock ‘n’ roll’s pantheon ofsoaring divas, died Friday in California, hermanager said. She was 73.

She had been battling leukemia anddementia. Her final stage performancescame in early 2010.

James died at Riverside Community Hospitalfrom complications of leukemia, with herhusband and two sons at her side, hermanager, Lupe De Leon said.

Over a 50-year career, James won fourGrammy Awards and 17 Blues MusicAwards. She was inducted into the Rock andRoll Hall of Fame in 1993 and was therecipeient of a Grammy LifetimeAchievement Award.

A feisty and outspoken personality off-stage, James was known for a singing stylethat ranged from the lush elegance of “AtLast” to powerful rhythm and blues like“Good Rockin’ Daddy,” “All I Could Do Is Cry”and her first hit, “The Wallflower.”

She was admired by many of her fellowfemale artists for her struggles against asystem that often undervalued andunderrated female performers.

The cost of that struggle was reflected inher lifelong struggle against severalextended drug addictions.

“No one who wasn’t there could understandhow hard someone like Etta had to fight,”the late Ruth Brown said in 1998. Brown,Lavern Baker and Della Reese, along withJames, were some of the early female artistswho to this day remain downplayed inearly rock ‘n’ roll history.

In the early 1990s, Jaguar licensed “At Last”in a lavish, memorable television ad thatgave the song far wider popular exposurethan it had after its original release in 1961.

It was a No. 2 R&B hit then, but onlyreached No. 47 on the pop charts.

James was still performing in the 1990s,and the song’s resurgence enhanced herstature.

She came into the spotlight again in 2008when a James-like character was featured inthe 2008 movie “Cadillac Records.” Themovie was loosely based on Chess Records,where James recorded in the 1960s, and itfeatured Beyonce, as the James character,singing “At Last.”

James said she enjoyed the movie, though it“had some inconsistencies” and largelyignored the success the real-life James hadon records and on black radio before shecame to Chess in 1960.

She praised Beyonce’s performance, thoughin early 2009 she complained that Beyonce,rather than James, was invited to sing “AtLast” at Barack Obama’s inauguration.

She also said Beyonce “should get her a—whupped,” though she said later she meantthat as a joke.

In April 2009, James sang “At Last” on“Dancing with the Stars.”

Born in Los Angeles, James did her earlysinging in the church before joiningimpresario Johnny Otis’s stable of LosAngeles R&B singers in the mid-1950s. Shesang with Richard Berry, among others, and“The Wallflower” was an answer to theMidnighters’ hit “Work With Me Annie.”

Comedian, Basketmouth wasn't jokingwhen he disclosed few weeks ago thathe is branching out into the musicworld. The funny guy is making seriousmoves to ensure his debut album"where u dey" which is in the works(although no release date has been set)it doesn't flop.

The track, titled "ODDZ" featuring wizkidand Eldee is set to drop on 26th January2012.

Versatile screen sensation and actor John Dumelo has singled out fellow screen goddess Yvonne Nelson as the most memorable kiss out of the numerous actresses that he has locked lips with on screen in his vibrant acting career.

John disclosed this to X FM after being crowned the most fashionable male celebrity for 2011 by Xfm’s facebook fan base. He beat celebrities like Sarkodie, KOD, Nana Boro, Okyeame Kwame, among others for the enviable title.

Coincidentally, the divine Miss Nelson also won the same award per the votes from fans the previous day on facebook as the most fashionable female Diva for 2011.Though initially hesitant about singling out a particular actress, John Dumelo eventually named the Princess Tyra hit maker as the one whose kiss is worth remembering.

He was appreciative to the fans for the honor and support, saying his choice of attire usually depends on the occasion and the necessary dress code but tries to live not much a luxurious lifestyle. As if to give credence to his new title, the 2011 Ghana Movie Awards Best Actor nominee recently launched his clothing (boxer) line called J. Melo as his impending accessory line is scheduled for the following months. John Dumelo explained that his boxer line will all be designed and sewn in Ghana although it will be packaged for consumers all over the world just like his hair and jewelry line.

Reacting on the Ghana movie industry, this is what he said, ‘I think we have a fantastic industry in Ghana and very soon we might be taking over Africa’ ‘we can eventually be compared to Hollywood or Bollywood in the next ten years, …we have a lot of money being pumped into the industry’ he confidently said.

He also intimated that in connection with the objectives of his foundation, he is setting up a school in the Northern region and intends to make donations to other institutions. He wish to offer 20% of proceeds from his clothing and other lines to support a charity work.

Sharing his foresight with X fm, John Dumelo anticipates a fruitful movie career as well as making a tremendous impact in the lives of people. He advised fans to quit pirating movies since it is gradually collapsing the movie industry in Ghana.

Reuters - Gunmen kidnapped an American working for Marubeni Corp in Nigeria's oil-rich NigerDelta region on Friday, killing his driver anddemanding a 50 million naira ($310,300)ransom, a security source said.

The U.S. embassy confirmed that one of itscitizens had been abducted.

"A foreign national was kidnapped thismorning in Warri by gunmen who trailedhim from Sapele," Charles Muka, spokesmanfor the Delta Police Command, told Reuters.

"They killed his police escort and forcefullytook him away from the car. He was goingto the bank when the attack occurred," hesaid.

A security source, who could not be named,said that the hostage was an Americanworking for Japanese conglomerateMarubeni, but gave no further details.

"The U.S. Embassy and Consulate are awareof the kidnapping of an American citizenthis morning in Warri. We continue tomonitor the situation closely and assist," aspokeswoman for the U.S. embassy toldReuters.

The Niger Delta, heartland of Africa'sbiggest oil and gas industry, is prone tobouts of unrest and riven by militantfactions. Gangs use guns and speedboats torun criminal fiefdoms that profit fromkidnapping and oil theft.

Militant activity decreased after an amnestyfor several commanders in 2009, but theregion remains volatile.

Friday, January 20, 2012

A 28-year-old Thai man still wished to marry his girlfriend four days after she died in a car accident Chadil Deffy, a television director in Thailand, insisted to make Sarinya Kamsook’s greatest wish come true In consequence Deffy organized a Buddhist ceremony during which he married the inert corpse of his girlfriend. The event took place on Wednesday January 4, 2012 in the city of Surin, northern Thailand.

Several people including friends and relatives attended Deffy’s grim moments when “asked into marriage” Sarinya, 29, who was killed in a car crash on New Year Eve. The wedding which was aired by Thai TV, has now flooded the blogosphere where it sparked countless controversial debates.

Heart-breaking story

Chadil Deffy, or Deff Yingyuen, expressed his deep love and devotion for his lifeless girlfriend, Sarinya or Anne Kamsook. Deff had announced the event on his Facebook page, inviting his friends to an wedding- funeral rite for his long term girlfriend at a temple in Surin. A photo of Chadil, dressed in a black suit, putting a ring on Sarinya’s finger, spread quickly across the web where more than 50,000 users left prayers, condolences and sympathy messages through social networks and Youtube.

Deffy and Kamssok had been together for 10 years. The couple intended to marry but according to Deffy, the wedding was postponed because of busy schedules and his decision to go on with his studies before settling down in a marriage with Sarinya.

The crash

Following the car incident the girl was severely injured. She was rushed to the hospital but the ICU was overcrowded. Instead of taking her to another hospital, the emergency staff allegedly waited 6 hours and during that time she passed away.

A mother offered up herself and her daughter this week for sex to pay off a debt at a Southgate pawnshop, the owner of the shop said Wednesday.

Al Hassan, a co-owner of DaSilva’s Pawn and Exchange on Eureka, said the mother, believed to be in her mid-30s, came into the shop Monday night and offered him sex with her and her daughter, who he estimated to be 9-11 years old, if he agreed not to sell a laptop she pawned a few weeks ago for $120.

A $25 payment was due to keep the laptop from being sold, Hassan said.

Hassan said he quickly notified police and reported the incident to Children’s Protective Services. Southgate police confirmed they are looking into the allegations.

“It’s still under investigation,” said Lt. Kasper Ohannasian. David Akerly, spokesman for the state Department of Human Services, said confidentiality laws prevent the state from commenting on individual cases, and he couldn’t confirm that the state is investigating.

WDIV-TV said it interviewed the mother at her home in Monroe, and she said the offer was meant as a joke.

“I wasn’t serious,” said the mother. “I don’t want to be considered a bad mother just because I needed some money for gas and groceries.”

Hassan said he believes the woman may have a drug habit that drove her to desperation.

“I felt disgusted,” Hassan said of his reaction to her offer. “I was sick.”

A childless housewife, Mrs. Folashade Giwais now counting her losses after she wasmade to part with about N2.7m for"deliverance" by a Lagos based prophetess,Christiana Ajibola.

The 60-year-old prophetess whose churchis located at 36, Odewale Street in Alagbado,Lagos, has been taken to Ojokoromagistrate’s court on charges of fraud andstealing.

Apart from allegedly defrauding Mrs.Folashade of the said amount, theprophetess is also being accused ofinitiating her to serve a goddess which thepolice described in the charge sheet as"man-made-god" .

The story started when Mrs.Folashade visited the prophet to seekprayers for the fruit of the womb. Theprophetess told her that before she couldbear a child, she will undergo deliveranceduring which she will be "purified".

The prophetess, it was leant, also told herthat the currency she pays will determinehow speedily her prayer will be answered.

She told her that if she pay in poundssterling or dollars, her prayers will beanswered faster. But if she pay in naira, herprayers will still be answered but not asfast as dollars and pounds sterling. As aresult, Mrs. Folashade paid in poundssterling and dollars so that she could haveher own child on time .

According to court document, the womanmade payment of £4,500 and $10,000 andcash of N289,000. The total nairaequivalent she paid was about N2.7mmillion.

It was further gathered that the prophetessplaced her under several oaths that sheshould not tell to anyone about herexperience. But when her desire to have achild did not materialized as the prophetpromised and she could not get herN2.7million, Mrs. Folashade reported thematter at Alagbado Police Station .

Consequently, the prophetess was arrestedand charged to court. The offence shecommitted, according to the prosecutor, Mr.Thomas Nurudeen, was contrary to section419, 390 and 210 of the criminal act, cap17 vol. 2 law of Lagos State of Nigeria,2000.

When the charges were read to her, shepleaded not guilty. The presidingmagistrate, Mrs. A.F. Adeeyo, granted herbail in the sum of N500,000 with twosureties in like sum .

The matter was then adjourned tillFebruary 21, 2012, for further hearing.

The run away Boko Haram suspect from thepolice net, Kabir Sokoto, has been re-arrested by men of the Nigerian Police.Kabir Sokoto was caught at the Nigeria –Chad border in Borno State, whileattempting to escape to Chad.

According toreports, Kabir was caught with the help of aspiritualist, Alhaji Ali Quran, who is said tobe a guru in the act of using voodoo totrack suspects.

Reports say that Kabir Sokoto is already inAbuja with the police, after he was re-arrested some few hours ago.

Kabir was the prime suspect of St Theresa’sCatholic Church on Christmas Day inMandalla near Suleja in Niger State.

President Jonathan had earlier given thepolice boss, Hafiz Ringim, a 24 hourultimatum to produce Kabir or face toughsanctions, after a public outcry on hisescape from police’s custody.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

The world’s most popular onlineencyclopedia, Wikipedia, is preparing toblackout for 24 hours beginning midnightEastern Standard Time (EST) on Tuesday(Jan. 18th) until midnight on Wednesday toprotest anti-piracy legislation underconsideration in the United States Congress.

In Nigerian time, the blackout would begin6:00am Wednesday, lasting for 24 hours.

Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales announcedon Twitter today the popular community-based online encyclopedia would shutdown its English versions for a full 24hours.

Wales said in a statement: “TodayWikipedians from around the world havespoken about their opposition to thisdestructive legislation. This is anextraordinary action for our community totake – and while we regret having toprevent the world from having access toWikipedia for even a second, we simplycannot ignore the fact that SOPA and PIPAendanger free speech both in the UnitedStates and abroad, and set a frighteningprecedent of Internet censorship for theworld.”

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

A housemate on Brazil's version of BigBrother has been raped live on TV, it hasbeen alleged. Police today confirmedthey had begun an investigation andcarried out a search of the studios in Riode Janeiro, where the popular realityshow is being filmed.

Viewers were shocked in the earlyhours of Sunday to watch contestantDaniel Echaniz 31, apparently forcehimself on 23-year-old student MoniqueAmin, who had passed out drunk after aboozy party.

The decision to remove the contestant,who if found guilty of rape facesbetween six and ten years' jail, wasexplained in a statement read out by theshow's presenter Pedro Bial.

He said: 'Since Sunday morning, theboard had been evaluating thebehaviour of Daniel, who is suspectedof having infringed the rules of theprogramme.

'Big Brother examined his behaviourwithout jumping to conclusions andwith the utmost care. The imagesshowed a breach of the rules of theprogramme.

'After careful evaluation, the direction ofthe programme found that the behaviorof the contestant on the night of theparty was seriously inadequate.'